BD - Player Around $400 - Shoot!

[sub780lime]

Okay. As you may have seen from the Sony Player thread, my dad is looking to delve into Blu-ray. Now, he wont get a PS3, so that is out. What player out there is the best, falls around this price range, and why is it his best option?

[Pirate]

I've working up a full review of the Sharp Sharp BD-HP205 which is around $350. It may meet your dad's needs.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Okay. As you may have seen from the Sony Player thread, my dad is looking to delve into Blu-ray. Now, he wont get a PS3, so that is out. What player out there is the best, falls around this price range, and why is it his best option?

Panasonic BD30 by far IMO. Its the fastest standalone player and supports profile 1.1.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Panasonic BD30 by far IMO. Its the fastest standalone player and supports profile 1.1.

But unless his dad has a next-gen receiver, he won't get any of the new audio formats.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Pirate

But unless his dad has a next-gen receiver, he won't get any of the new audio formats.

Do you think his dad really cares and/or could tell the difference between lossy and lossless?

I'd wager he'd be more interested in having all the advertised features work than minutely better sound. Not to mention quicker response/functionality.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Do you think his dad really cares and/or could tell the difference between lossy and lossless?

I'd wager he'd be more interested in having all the advertised features work than minutely better sound.

No clue, but since Sub didn't specify, I'm going to assume his father is a supreme video and audiophile. It's always better to over do it than to under do it.

[sambow87]

I'll be waiting on your review Pirate! I'm sort of....looking for the same thing? I don't know. If I get to work this show next weekend i'll have enough for a BD player but I can't seem to wait for a dual format player.


Oh well, must watch more HD cable to tide me over!

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Do you think his dad really cares and/or could tell the difference between lossy and lossless?

Originally Posted by Pirate

No clue, but since Sub didn't specify, I'm going to assume his father is a supreme video and audiophile. It's always better to over do it than to under do it.

He isn't going to notice the difference, though those B&W's he has up front would sound just beautiful with loseless. Anyway, he is looking to upgrade his receiver anyway....probably the TX705 or maybe even my 605. He hasn't decided yet and it takes him forever to actually pull the trigger...so I am really looking for the player that will play the most discs and has the easier firmware update method....and it should play the new audio formats for when he does upgrade. One player had a usb spot to update firmware through a flash drive, but I can't remember which one that was, quite convenient though.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

He isn't going to notice the difference, though those B&W's he has up front would sound just beautiful with loseless. Anyway, he is looking to upgrade his receiver anyway....probably the TX705 or maybe even my 605. He hasn't decided yet and it takes him forever to actually pull the trigger...so I am really looking for the player that will play the most discs and has the easier firmware update method....and it should play the new audio formats for when he does upgrade. One player had a usb spot to update firmware through a flash drive, but I can't remember which one that was, quite convenient though.

Panasonic BD30 is roughly twice as fast to load as the sharp (moreso on some BD-J intensive discs like POTC). Your dad will likely appreciate that speed more than anything. And like you said, a receiver upgrade enables all the lossless codecs (except when watching IME/PiP, though do you really need lossless if you are watching a video commentary at the same time?). If your dad is like mine he will probably care most about good picture, good sound, and smooth operation. IMO the Panasonic BD30 is best armed overall in those categories.

Updating the BD30 is very simple, much easier than the Toshiba players even though it is not a net-enabled player.

You go to this website:
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...bd30/bd30.html

Download the EXE file, it will extract a file with .FRM extension to your hard drive where you specify. Burn that single .FRM file to a CD-R using any burning software and put it in the Panasonic. Put it in the Panasonic and you're set. No messing with ISOs or any crap, just burn the single file to the disc - and the update process takes 5 minutes tops (was 30 minutes to update via net on the Toshiba players).

So I'd recommend the BD30.

[bembol]

Thanks for the Link/Steps RUINED. I hope I don't need to use it.




I was surprised how Fast the BD30K is. I highly recommend it!

[sub780lime]

I think I am leaning toward this one. Anything to counter on Pirate as to why the Sharp is superior? (aside from it had the analogs you so desperately needed )

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

I think I am leaning toward this one. Anything to counter on Pirate as to why the Sharp is superior? (aside from it had the analogs you so desperately needed )

I doubt the Sharp is superior, but it does decode the sound formats internally and the Panny does not. You will need a new receiver to utilize TrueHD, DD+, DTS-HD, etc.